June Newsletter: Just a Few Weeks Left!

The pace of session has certainly picked up as we move into summer! Committees are coming to a close, and the legislature is approaching its most important task: passing the budget bills. Our office remains focused and ready to work, so we can kick it into high gear for an accomplished sine die!

Safety Advisory: Summer has officially begun and road work has already begun across the state. Please remember to keep an eye out for highway workers and drive safely. There have been two crashes in the last month, and two workers have died. These tragedies are avoidable - please stay alert on the road!

Many of members of the House came together to support ASL in honor of our esteemed colleague Vic Gilliam, who retired earlier this year.

Bills & Upcoming Votes

My Personal Bill Updates:

HB 2721 Worker Protections- I am pleased to announce that my bill, HB 2721, has passed through the Joint Committee on Public Safety and the full Ways and Means Committee! State roadway employees work in an environment that requires safety measures, assault should not be something they need to take additional precautions for. I stand for working Oregonians, and am hopeful that HB 2721 will pass to extend protections to those who serve our public transportation system.

HB 2722 HOA's & Water- My water conservation Homeowner's Associations Bill passed the House floor a second time with Senate amendments! The A-Engrossed bill addresses conflicts in HB 3447, also passed this session. Water is one of the most important natural resources and we must take more steps to conserve it. Homeowners Associations and Condominium Owners Associations will encourage landscaping that conserves water. I am excited to have HB 2722 on its way to the Governor's office!

HB 2720 Study on Virtual Public Charter Schools- HB 2720 was able to receive a public hearing this month, and has a work session scheduled this week! With limited funds, I am grateful that the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Education took up this bill. The study would cost around $73,000-81,000 to complete, but the information and insight that it would provide would be invaluable. There is much about virtual schooling that we do not know, and it would be beneficial for the state and for policymakers to have a clear picture of this growing trend in our education system. To fully support all schools and all students, we must have a clear understanding of where the gaps and needs are.

All the way from House District 29: Mexico en la Piel Academia!!

Important Bills

HB 2845 Ethnic Studies- I was proud to testify on this bill that passed on the House floor! The bill directs the Department of Education to organize an advisory group to develop a statewide ethnic studies standard that will be adopted into current social studies standards for public K-12 schools. It is so important we ensure that curriculums recognize the histories, contributions, and perspectives of ethnic minorities and social movements. By doing so, schools are better able to address the disparities students face in the classroom and ensure students are better equipped to participate and engage with diverse communities.

Here I am addressing my colleagues on the importance of ethnic studies in K-12 schools.

SB 299 Oregon Sick Time Clarifications- SB 299 passed on the House floor this month.This bill clarifies many aspects of the Oregon Sick Time law that passed in the 2015 session. The bill ensures that regulations reflect the realities of small business by clarifying employer location, employee count, piece rate, and first 40 hours of paid time off. It states that seasonal farm stands and temporary construction trailers located outside of the city of Portland are eligible for Oregon Sick Time, not Portland Sick Time which subjects a six-employee threshold for paid or unpaid sick time. These clarifications were necessary to ensure fairness for small businesses.

HB 3464 Immigration Protections-This bill received public hearing in House Rules this month, and passed the House Floor this week! HB 3464 protects the privacy of our immigrant communities by prohibiting a public body from inquiring a person's citizenship or immigration status except when it is concerning state or federal law. Under our new administration, many of our immigrant families in Oregon are living in fear, when they are truly the heart of what makes Oregon a wonderfully diverse state. I support this bill, and am looking forward to its passage.

SB 802 Voter Registration Age- The House recently passed SB 802, which expands the voter registration age to 16 year olds. This bill will encourage young people to engage in the political process and have their voices be heard. I am happy to have had the opportunity to vote yes on this bill.

Spotlight On

Housing Funding Bills

Rent & Homeless Assistance

HB 2724 Rent Guarantee Program- This bill directs Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to develop and implement the Rent Guarantee Program to provide incentives to landlords renting or leasing to low income households. The bill also directs OHCS to provide tenants from low income households renter education training. Renter Education training programs cover areas like review of important records, budget building that prioritizes rent, proper tenant landlord communication skills, appropriate move-in/move-out procedure, and how to maintain a safety and cleanliness in the unit. This is an effective 2 step approach because it provides an opportunity for tenants learning to become better renters to secure housing.

Home Ownership

2961 Home Ownership Repair/Rehab- This bill establishes the Home ownership Repair and Rehabilitation Program under the OHCS Department to award grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide financial assistance to low-income households for repair and rehabilitation of their homes. This program will keep people in their homes and make sure their living spaces are safe and in good condition.

Autonomous Vehicle Workgroup

I was asked to Co-Chair a workgroup on autonomous vehicles with Rep. Rich Vial. We were charged to discuss potential testing and deployment of self-driving cars in Oregon by Representative Caddie McKeown, Chair of the House Transportation Committee. We have met four times and will continue to meet to address these issues. We have discussed a testing regulatory framework that will allow for industry expansion while ensuring the safety of the public. As we continue to meet we will discuss liability and insurance issues with autonomous vehicles, and the potential ramifications to our transportation system and our workforce.

Cost Containment

We need to bring the cost of services down for an efficient administration. A stable, fair, collectible revenue steam must be accompanied by cost containment. SB 1067 will require legislative review of our agencies, including compensation changes, reducing vacant positions, and improving debt-collection practices. The second cost containment bill, SB 1068, will reform PERS by creating risk-sharing accounts paid into by public employees. SB 1068 can only move forward in conjunction with revenue reform, as it was developed in good faith consultation public employee unions as a part of a strategy to raise corporate taxes and help stabilize the state's budget in the long term. Putting our schools and critical services on a stable path will require this balanced approach.

Around the District

June Constituent Gathering- Last week I hosted a constituent gathering at Lincoln Street Elementary School in Hillsboro. This month, our theme was health care and mental health services. We were fortunate Ginnie Churchill, a staff member from the Hawthorne Walk-In Center, was able to attend and go over some of the services that the Hawthorne Center provides our community. We are thankful the center receives County and State support, and is a perfect example of why vital services need continued funding . We also discussed some updates on the transportation package and potential revenue reform. I am thankful for the conversation.

Washington County Revenue Town Hall- Last Friday myself and other legislators gathered to explain Oregon’s revenue system and proposed changed. We had a large crowd that asked specific questions about the proposed corporate tax reform. I enjoyed hearing from our community on these issues, and I am encouraged by the public engagement and support on this issue.

Graduations- This month I attended my grandson Ryan’s graduation! I am so proud of him and all he’s accomplished through his 4 years of High School. To the Seniors of Glencoe and Forest Grove High School: Congratulations Class of 2017!

My family attended the Glencoe High School graduation, one of four Hillsboro high schools, last weekend. My grandson, Ryan, is officially a graduate!

Governor’s Autonomous Vehicles Meeting- The Governor asked Rep. Vial and I to join her for a meeting at the Hillsboro Civic Center about autonomous vehicles. We met with industry leaders and key stakeholders to discuss the future of Oregon’s transportation system. This is an exciting new technology and industry! I left that meeting with one big takeaway - we need to fix our roads and pass the transportation package. Industry shared that Oregon’s road conditions would be a detriment to testing.

Important Information

Hwy 26 Closures-Beginning Tuesday, June 20, the U.S. 26 from Northwest Glencoe Road to mile post 53 (near Oregon 6), will have nighttime lane and ramp closures.All lanes of U.S. 26 will be open during the day. Shoulder closures will continue take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Night lane closures will take place:

Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Friday from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Sunday from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

This project will repave both directions of U.S. 26, resurface some highway bridges and ramps, add cable median barrier, add rumble strips and repave the weigh station.The impacted ramps include:

The U.S. 26 east exit to OR 6 (Northwest Wilson River Highway).

The U.S. 26 west exit to OR 6 (Northwest Wilson River Highway).*

The Northwest Dersham Road (Exit 55) on- and off-ramps to U.S. 26.

Northwest Mountaindale Road will be periodically closed at the intersections of U.S. 26.

During nighttime ramp closures, travelers should follow the detour signs. Not all ramps will be closed at the same time. Most ramp closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekdays and until 9 a.m. on weekends.Paving and the nighttime lane closures are expected to continue through the summer. Visit TripCheck.com for up-to-date traffic impacts and plan your commutes accordingly.

Upcoming Events

Cornelius Library Garden Party- The Harris, Stenberg, and Lester families are hosting a garden party in efforts to reach their goal to fund the new Cornelius Library. I am excited for the Cornelius library to finish their integrated structure that will also include affordable housing for seniors and a YMCA center for the community. This project will serve seniors, as well as students, parents and children, and benefits local economy. I know that the new Cornelius library will strengthen the fabric of our community, and provide many resources for the folks in Washington County to thrive.

Date: Thursday, June 22nd - TOMORROW!

Hours: 6:00-8:00pm

Location: Blooming Farm (4800 SW Gold Course Road, Cornelius)

End of Session Town Hall-Representative Janeen Sollman, Senator Chuck Riley and I will be co-hosting an End-of-Session Town Hall. We will be discussing the progress we made in this session in addition to legislation we can focus on in the next. I hope you are able to attend!

Summer Markets- Summer is finally here! That means it’s Farmer’s Market Season. I encourage you to support our local economy and business by shopping at the Farmer’s Market. Come out and enjoy the sunshine!

We are are in the final stretch of the session and I am excited to see all the priorities in the legislature become finalized. I am determined to do all I can to push funding for education and critical services until I see real outcomes for this State. Thank you for all your support. As always, you are welcome to reach out to my office anytime.

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